Baseball Musings: Barry Won't Play

January 23, 2006

Barry Won't Play

The World Baseball Classic lost one of the biggest stars on the program as Barry Bonds announces he won't play.

"After the announcement I received a lot of criticism as well as concern from fans and my family and friends. The obvious objections were about my health and whether or not I would be ready to play. In the end, I decided that I can't take any chances that might jeopardize my season.
"I don't want to give the impression that the WBC is not important. I know this means a lot to showcasing our sport worldwide, and the patriotism of playing for Team USA would have been a great honor. I feel what is best for me, my family, the Giants, and our fans is that I sit the WBC out."

I'm not surprised by this. In fact, I was surprised he was on the roster in the first place. Of course, there will be speculation that Barry didn't want to face the drug testing. Or that Buck Martinez wanted him to bat second. :-)

Posted by David Pinto at 11:22 PM | World Cup | TrackBack (0)

Comments

Or that use of his name was a sales aid for Orza & Bud
to convince others to play, to sell seats, hats, etc., or
just a general publicity stunt. The pictures from this
weekend look like a normal 40-something guy. In
other words, vastly different from what he looked like
several months ago.

Posted by: susan mullen at January 24, 2006 12:33 AM

I mean c'mon, everyone in the country knew there was no way Bonds was going to be able pass an Olympic style drug test. The only wonder is how long it took Bonds to figure it out...one more clue?

Posted by: Aaron Rushin at January 24, 2006 12:38 AM

It doesn't have anything to do with steroids, Bonds doesn't want to take any risks of injuring himself in his quest of conquering Ruth and Aaron...

Which isn't to say that Bonds isn't a total juicer, but just to say that this had nothing to do with his decision.

Posted by: Hunter at January 24, 2006 01:09 AM

I read somebody mention they hoped this would open up a spot for Chipper Jones on the team, I think I'd rather have that spot go to David Wright.

I have the utmost respect for Chipper, but I think the exclusion of Wright will be one of those things that people will look back on in four years and say, "How was David Wright not on the team?".

Posted by: jabes at January 24, 2006 01:27 AM

go dominic republic!!!!

Posted by: Colin at January 24, 2006 01:28 AM

"I think the exclusion of Wright will be one of those things that people will look back on in four years and say, "How was David Wright not on the team?""

I honestly don't think anyone will ever say that in the history of mankind.

Posted by: Kirby at January 24, 2006 02:54 AM

Some people are so gullible that they believe every word out of some players's mouths.

And Kirby, look at The Hardball Times and Baseball Prospectus and you'll see Wright outperformed Larry last year.

Posted by: Adam B. at January 24, 2006 04:48 AM

Why are you talking about Chipper Jones and David Wright for third base? Alex Rodriguez is playing for team USA.

Posted by: busterbros at January 24, 2006 05:28 AM

"And Kirby, look at The Hardball Times and Baseball Prospectus and you'll see Wright outperformed Larry last year."

Wright also played 51 more games than Chipper. If you look at Baseball Prospectus you will notice Jones has a better EQA and would have a better offensive WARP had they accumulated equal playing time. However, David Wright is an average defensive 3B and Jones is a terrible defensive 3B, which is where you will find the advantage goes to David Wright. But if you look at last year, David did not outperform Larry offensively, he just managed to stay healthy all year.

Posted by: Tim at January 24, 2006 05:48 AM

Any speculation about Bonds losing weight is crazy. Just look at the photos on his journal. If anything he's bigger than he was last season.

http://barrybonds.mlb.com/players/bonds_barry/journal/latest.html

Posted by: ed at January 24, 2006 11:33 AM

The fact of the matter is Bonds NEVER intended to play in the WBC because he KNOWS he can't pass the drug test. Baseball just wanted his possible participation to hype the event. Which, by the way, is going to be great thing.

The fact that Bonds is bigger this year just proves my point that he is ON performance enhancing drugs. It's not a theory it’s a FACT. Much like evolution the evidence is overwhelming. You people want to apologize for Bonds, the game's biggest cheater, you can go ahead, but for my money, he should be banned for life unless his testimony in front of the Balco grand jury can exonerate him which, of course, it doesn't.

Posted by: Aaron Rushin at January 24, 2006 12:07 PM

Just because you type in all caps doesn't make a theory a FACT. I believe that the evidence is very strong that he was once taking something, but it ain't no FACT that he is juicing now.

P.S. Evolution isn't a FACT either, just a theory (ducking!)....

Posted by: chitrader at January 24, 2006 02:01 PM

Given that Barry spend nearly all of last year on the DL for knee problem and that he's got a lot of weight resting on those knees, I'm far from surprised that he's pulled out. It is the sensible thing for him to do, rest up for the season.

Posted by: rbj at January 24, 2006 02:52 PM

"I'm far from surprised that he's pulled out. It is the sensible thing for him to do, rest up for the season."-- My God, grow up and realize the man is human anabolic steroid whose accomplishments are forever tarnished. His name will go down in infamy and no amount of a Bush-like ignoring of the FACTS will make it go away. (caps are for emphasis for our simple-minded Republican friends)

Posted by: Aaron Rushin at January 25, 2006 01:18 AM

Aaron, what does commenting on Barry pulling out of the WBC have to do with politics? Wipe the saliva from your mouth, you're drooling.

Posted by: rbj at January 25, 2006 09:38 AM

Speaking as a liberal Bonds fan, you've lost it.

Posted by: ed at January 27, 2006 10:18 AM

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